Foreign visit is a cherished dream of our bureaucrats. They enjoy many perks when proceeding on foreign visits which they generally make as official. There are standing rules and norms which need to be fulfilled by a bureaucrat when visiting abroad. But the PMO has found that these rules are not strictly adhering to by the bureaucratic establishment. As such the PMO has issued fresh instructions according to which any bureaucrat intending to visit a foreign country has to complete many formalities and get clearance from the Screening Committee instituted by the PMO in consultation with the MEA and MHA. The process has been made strict and rather cumbersome.
This decision seems to have been taken in view of misuse of various facilities provided by the rules for bureaucrats visiting abroad. After all it is a burden on the public exchequer and the Government cannot allow irregularities to take place where there is large scale financial involvement. Austerity is the hallmark of good governance. Previously hardly any bureaucrat thought of fulfilling all the formalities before actually proceeding on a foreign trip.
The bureaucrats should have no grudge against the Government for introducing new rules for them when intending to travel abroad. We are not going to count the irregularities they have been indulging in because what has happened in the past cannot be reversed. But for future, we believe the Union Government intends to implement the new instructions with all of its seriousness. This is a step in the interests of the country and is welcome to general public even if a handful of officials may be disgusted with it. More nationalists among the echelons of bureaucracy will welcome it.
Follow our WhatsApp channel